Indinavir is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called protease (PRO-tee-ayz) inhibitors. Indinavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body. It is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Indinavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

INSTRUCTIONS

Take indinavir exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Take indinavir with a full glass (8 ounces) of water or skim milk. You may also drink juice, coffee, or tea with this medication. Drink at least 6 glasses of water each day to prevent kidney stones while you are taking indinavir. Indinavir should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

If you prefer to take the medication with food, eat only a light meal, such as dry toast with jelly, or corn flakes with skim milk and sugar. Avoid eating a high-fat meal.

It is important to use indinavir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If you are more than 2 hours late in taking your indinavir, skip the missed dose and take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Dose AdjustmentsConsider reducing the dose to 600 mg every 8 hours if delavirdine, itraconazole, or ketoconazole are administered concomitantly. Increase the dose to 1000 mg every 8 hours if rifabutin is given concurrently, and decrease the rifabutin dose by half.Precautions

Strict adherence to the prescribed dose is essential. Patients should not alter the dose or discontinue therapy without consulting their physician.

Adequate hydration (1.5 liters/day) is crucial during therapy to reduce the risk of nephrolithiasis. A brief interruption (usually 1 to 3 days) or total discontinuation may be necessary if nephrolithiasis occurs.

Store indinavir at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the capsules in their original container, along with the packet of moisture-absorbing preservative that comes with indinavir capsules.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to indinavir. Do not take indinavir with amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), alprazolam (Xanax), oral midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion), or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine). These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are taking indinavir.

Before taking indinavir, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

liver disease;

kidney disease, or

a history of kidney stones;

diabetes;

a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia; or

high cholesterol or triglycerides.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take indinavir. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.

Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication. You should not breast-feed while you are using indinavir. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking indinavir and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: